Category: Press Release

The Seneca County Sheriff’s office reports that on October 12, 2018 at 03:07 PM, Seneca County Sheriff’s Deputies arrested Nghia Q Truong, age 50, 8111 Crestview Drive, Niagara Falls, New York. He was charged with Criminal mischief in the 3rd Degree (Class E Felony).

This arrest stems from an incident that occurred on September 8th, 2018 at del Lago Resort and Casino, located at 1133 St Rt 414 in the Town of Tyre. It is alleged that Truong damaged a vehicle belonging to another person and the value of the damage was in excess of $250.

Truong was issued an appearance ticket and is to appear in the Town of Tyre Court at a later date to answer the charge.

The Seneca County Sheriff’s Office reports that on October 8th, 2018, at approximately 1:20 AM, Sheriff’s Deputies responded to a motor vehicle accident that occurred on State Route 89 in the Town of Romulus. Upon the arrival of Sheriff’s Deputies, a truck had crashed into the ditch. A total of five occupants were inside the truck at the time of accident. Luckily, all five occupants were uninjured. While investigating the accident, the five subjects provided Sheriff’s Deputies with fraudulent identification and immigration documents. After further investigation, it was determined that the five individuals were currently in the United States illegally. The United States Border Patrol was then notified and the five subjects were turned over to them for further action.

On October 3, 2018 at about 12:42pm, the Seneca County Sheriff’s Office Narcotics Unit arrested Shannon M. Markel, age 29, of 93 Mynderse Street, Seneca Falls, New York, on multiple charges following a lengthy investigation into the sale and possession of Fentanyl in the local community. Initially, Markel was taken into custody on charges of Criminal Sale of a Controlled Substance in the Third Degree and Criminal Possession of a Controlled Substance in the Third Degree, both Class B Felonies, as it was alleged that Markel sold a quantity of Fentanyl to another person. Markel was then transported to the Seneca County Correctional Facility where it was discovered that she was concealing baggies of Fentanyl. Markel attempted to conceal one baggie of Fentanyl in the rear seat of a Sheriff’s patrol vehicle and attempted to swallow another baggie. Markel also attempted to snort the contents of another baggie. As a result of Markel’s actions, she was further charged with:

Tampering with Physical Evidence, a Class E Felony (three counts)
Promoting Prison Contraband in the First Degree, a Class E Felony (two counts)
Criminal Possession of a Controlled Substance in the Seventh Degree, a Class A Misdemeanor.

Markel was held at the Seneca County Correctional Facility on pre-arraignment detention and will be arraigned in the Seneca County Centralized Arraignment Court.

The Narcotics Unit was assisted by members of the Sheriff’s Office Road Patrol Division and Corrections Division, New York State Police, Seneca Falls Police Department, and Wayne County Sheriff’s Office.

The Seneca County Sheriff’s Office reports, on October 2, 2018 at approximately 3:15PM, members of the Narcotics Unit arrested Michael R. McLean, age 38 and Stana J. Osman, age 42, both of Seneca Falls, New York. It is alleged that McLean was observed by investigators selling Adderall to Osman while at a business on Fall Street in the Town of Seneca Falls.

McLean was charged with one count of Criminal Sale of a Controlled Substance in the 5th degree, a Class D Felony. Osman was charged with one count of Criminal Possession of a Controlled Substance in the 7th degree, a Class A Misdemeanor.

Osman was released on an appearance ticket and is scheduled to appear at the Town of Seneca Falls Court on October 17th, 2018. McLean was held at CAP Court where he was committed to the custody of the Sheriff in lieu of $5,000 bail. He is scheduled to appear in the Town of Seneca Falls Court on October 8th, 2018 at 12:00PM.

The Seneca County Sheriff’s Office reports that Investigators from the Narcotics Unit arrested Sharmeer A. Sinopoli, age 27 of Geneva, NY. Sinopoli was charged with the following:

Criminal Possession of a Controlled Substance 3rd- Class B Felony

Criminal Sale of a Controlled Substance 3rd- Class B Felony.

The arrest stems from an investigation in to the sale and possession of “Crack” cocaine within the Town of Waterloo. It is alleged that Siniopoli sold cocaine to another person. Sinopoli was released on his own recognizance and is scheduled to answer the charges in Seneca County Court at a later date. Members of the Narcotics Unit were assisted by the Geneva Police Department and Wayne County Sheriff’s Office.

The Seneca County Sheriff’s Office reports that on the 1st of October 2018, The Narcotics Unit eradicated and seized 100 Marijuana plants from numerous locations in two different townships in the south end of Seneca County. The Seneca County Sheriff’s Narcotics unit was assisted by New York State Environmental Conservation Police, and the US Agriculture and Forestry Service.

Sheriff Tim Luce has announced that the Seneca County Sheriff’s Office is holding its second annual Citizens Police Academy this November. The purpose of the academy is to give citizens of Seneca County a better understanding about law enforcement and how the Sheriff’s Office works within the community.

The academy will consist of four Thursday night sessions in November running from 6:00 PM to approximately 9:00 PM. Each session will focus on different aspects of the Sheriff’s Office and give an inside look at Administration, Road Patrol, Investigations and Corrections. Candidates that complete the program will be scheduled for a ride-a-long with a Deputy, receive a certificate of completion and a T-shirt.

The dates for the academy are: November 1st, 8th, 15th, and 29th. Candidates must be able to attend all 4 sessions. Anyone interested can contact Danielle Thompson at 315-220-3403. A background check will be conducted.

Applicants must be at least 21 years old, be residents of Seneca County and have a genuine interest in good citizenship. Senior citizens are welcome to apply.

The academy class size will be kept small to maximize the experience. Eligible applicants that do not make this academy will be considered for future academies.

The Seneca County Sheriff’s Office reports on September 28, 2018 at approximately 1:30pm Sheriff Deputies arrested Mason T Frost, age 27 of Camillus NY, on an Arrest Warrant for Petit Larceny. It is alleged that Frost stole an item from a male victim while at the Del Lago Casino in the town of Tyre. Frost was transported to the Seneca County Correctional Facility and arraigned in the centralized arraignment court and committed on $150 cash or $300 bail. He is to appear in the Town Of Tyre Court at a later date to answer the charge

Once again in October we commemorate National Domestic Violence Awareness month [NDVAM], a time for law enforcement agencies, victim assistance organizations and community leaders to work jointly in generating greater public awareness about domestic violence, prevention strategies and effective responses for victims. It serves as a reminder that communities must speak out in a unified voice to combat domestic and to challenge all people in America to support programs that can end this nationwide epidemic.

According to the United States Department of Justice 1.3 million women and men have been victims of domestic violence in the past year. Eliminating domestic violence requires collaborative prevention and response efforts from criminal justice professionals, victim service providers, prosecutors, health care providers, educators and elected officials among others.

In addition to assistance provided by our court and legal systems and victim service programs domestic violence victims in Seneca County have access to potentially life-saving information through the web site Sheriffs-Assist.org.

Sheriffs’ Assist allows crime victims and other concerned citizens to track the custody status of their offenders and register to be notified by phone or email in the event of a release to the community or a transfer to a New York State correctional facility or county jail. This service is available 24 hours a day, seven days a week through the toll-free number 1-888-VINE-4-NY or online at www.vinelink.com.

Sheriff Tim Luce said” Victims of domestic violence often need the kind of timely information that the web site Sheriffs’ Assist provides. By giving custody information in real time registered crime victims receive critical information when they need it the most. This access empowers domestic violence victims to gain a greater degree of control in their lives and to make informed decisions about their safety”.

Domestic Violence Awareness Month was created in 1987 to promote increased rights and services for domestic violence victims; to educate the public about the crisis of domestic violence and the prevalence of this epidemic in all of our lives and to encourage involvement and support for domestic violence victims and those who serve them.

Seneca County Sheriff’s Office reports the arrest of Guy B. Bowers, age 59, of 7746 Rock River Rd. Ovid, N.Y. on September 27th, 2018. Sheriff’s investigators arrested Bowers following the investigation of incidents that reportedly occurred during the months of November and December, 2016 at a Town of Ovid residence. It is alleged that Bowers subjected a 15 year old victim to sexual contact and activity on multiple dates during that timeframe. Bowers was charged with 2 counts of Endangering the Welfare of a Child, Forcible Touching and Sexual Abuse in the 2nd degree as a result of the investigation. Bowers was processed at the Seneca County Correctional Facility where he remained in pre-arraignment detention awaiting a hearing in Centralized Arraignment Court. He was subsequently released; an order of protection was issued.